Electric Receptacles: Ground up or Ground Down?

009to090 · Post by **009to090** » Mon. Apr. 09, 2012 8:38 am

Richard S. wrote:
SMITTY wrote: which I would think is more dangerous than the 1 in 1 BILLION chance something falls on the prongs.

THE BILLIONTH ONE!!!!

Must not have been a GFCI

Freddy · Post by **Freddy** » Mon. Apr. 09, 2012 10:13 am

If you are sharpening a pencil it gets ground down, but if you are making hamburger it gets ground up.

Yanche · Post by **Yanche** » Mon. Apr. 09, 2012 10:27 am

Richard S. wrote:
Freddy wrote: I"m a show me type of guy.....so show me! I'll bet fifty cents it's not in writing.
Fred this is what two electricians said, the one at our house and another down my brothers. Perhaps it's just a recommendation to prevent things like a tape ruler going behind it and shorting out the whole thing. The one electrician told me it was because of the metal plates which really doesn't make sense because you would have to have the power on, have something plugged in and be taking the plate off at the same time. In any event I don't the idea primarily because so many plugs are designed to be with the ground down, all that stress can't be good.

It's Article 405.4 "Receptacle Mounting", subsection D "Position of Receptacle Faces" that applies. National Electrical Code (NEC) 405.4 D DOES NOT specify blades up or blades down. It's your choice and either will meet code. Same is true for boxes mounted horizontally, left or right, it's your choice.

I'm On Fire · Post by **I'm On Fire** » Mon. Apr. 09, 2012 11:59 am

Rob R. wrote:I always face them down. Here is one I haven't gotten to yet that is bugging me...good thing I rarely use it.

I insatlled my washer/dryer outlet like that because it was late and I wanted to get it done. It's been bugging me and I've been meaning to fox it but haven't yet.

I've been known to install outlets in both directions. Just depends on my mood, what it's for and where it is.

samhill · Post by **samhill** » Mon. Apr. 09, 2012 2:00 pm

They ought to start making them with both grounds facing out so both sides of the discussion could say they were right.

009to090 · Post by **009to090** » Mon. Apr. 09, 2012 3:14 pm

samhill wrote:They ought to start making them with both grounds facing out so both sides of the discussion could say they were right.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servle ... d100665700

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Mon. Apr. 09, 2012 4:21 pm

A ferris outlet...

europachris · Post by **europachris** » Mon. Apr. 09, 2012 4:23 pm

CapeCoaler wrote:A ferris outlet...

Reminds me of an old girlfriend I had...everyone gets their turn....

Post by **Lightning** » Mon. Apr. 09, 2012 5:34 pm

That one on the top right is lookin at me funny

rberq · Post by **rberq** » Mon. Apr. 09, 2012 8:02 pm

samhill wrote:They ought to start making them with both grounds facing out so both sides of the discussion could say they were right.

No sooner do you invent something than you find someone else already invented it.

samhill · Post by **samhill** » Mon. Apr. 09, 2012 8:42 pm

Story of my life, day late & dollar short.

CoalHeat · Post by **CoalHeat** » Mon. Apr. 09, 2012 9:36 pm

That would make me nuts, I'd have to line up all 4 receptacles so they were exactly the same.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Tue. Apr. 10, 2012 7:50 am

You & me both WC. Kinda like sexual preference, you either are or you ain't. I think there needs to be more concrete Govt. control on this receptical issue.

Post by **coaledsweat** » Tue. Apr. 10, 2012 8:17 am

freetown fred wrote:I think there needs to be more concrete Govt. control on this receptical issue.

Appoint a receptacle Czar!

Post by **franco b** » Tue. Apr. 10, 2012 8:20 pm

If God had wanted the ground up he would have put it there. Besides with the ground down the electricity flows downhill.

Electric Receptacles: Ground up or Ground Down?

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